General Orders. New York. Sep^t 9^th 1799 Major General Hamilton announces, for the information of the Troops under his command "the following rules, adopted by the President of the United States, relative to Rank and Promotion in the Army." [underline: First as to Rank.] The Field Officers of the Regiments of Cavalry, and of the twelve Regiments of Infantry raised in pursuance of the Act of the 16^th of July, 1798, who served in the regular Army, during the late War, and continued therein, to the end thereof, shall take Rank of all others of the same Grade, who were not in service, or who were deranged in pursuance of any Resolution of Congress. Their relative Rank with each other, to be the same, as at the close of the War. Those Officers who have been deranged, in pursuance of any Resolution of Congress, to take Rank next after those, who continued to the expiration of the War. Their relative Rank with each other, to be agreeably to their respective Grades, [strikethrough: and] dates of Commission. Provided always, that Colonels & Lieutenant Colonels Commandants, who were deranged, shall take Rank of Lieutenant Colonels, who served to the end of the War. Lieutenant Colonels of Majors & Majors of Captains &^c Officers who have served in the Army or since the peace, and have been disbanded, shall take Rank, next after the Officers deranged during the late War. Resignations shall preclude all claim to Rank. The relative Rank of Officers who have not been in Service will be determined by the Commander in Chief. [underline: Second, as to Promotion] The Captains & Subalterns in the Cavalry, Artillery and Infantry shall rise Regimentally to the Rank of Major inclusive. Promotions, from the Rank of Major, to that of Lieutenant Colonel, shall be in the line of the Army: provided however that the said Promotion in the Cavalry, Artillery, & Infantry shall be confined to their respective lines. On the happening of a vacancy, the Officer next in Rank, will in ordinary cases be considered as the most proper Person to fill the Same. But this rule is considered as subject to exceptions, in extraordinary Cases. Abraham R. Ellery Ass^t Adjutant General